A 3-part course welcome to all. Learn how flax was processed and turned into rope, sackcloth and linen. Use our Isle grown retted flax to have a go! The workshops will be led by Archaeobotantist, Liz Pearson. The sessions are bookable through the eventbrite links. It is best to attend all 3 sessions.

Flax processing workshop Fri 25th October 2019 – Learn how to process flax that can be used to produce fibre, the traditional way with hand tools

Flax spinning workshop Fri 1st November 2019

BOOK HERE FOR FRIDAY 1 Nov PART 2
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/short-course-flax-spinning-pt2-tickets-73783276767

Learn how to spin with flax.
Background
In the Axholme area, before the introduction on large-scale machinery to produce flax yarn, spinning of flax fibre would have been a household activity. Several members of the family would have been engaged in spinning, by hand, on drop spindles and on spinning wheels. Drop spindles were useful for spinning anywhere, particularly on the move. It would have been an important and constant activity.

What you’ll be doing:
We’ll be taking flax fibre produced during the previous flax processing workshop. First we’ll prepare flax fibres for spinning and will learn why long fibres and short fibres are prepared differently.
Watch flax being spun on a flax wheel then try spinning for yourself on a drop spindle.
Participants are also welcome to try spinning on a wheel.

Flax weaving workshop Fri 8th November 2019 (see date for further information and booking details)